Beijing, The Indonesia Post – Four member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) compete in the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, from 4-20 February 2022.
Athletes from the four ASEAN countries, namely the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Timor Leste, took part in the contingent parade at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium, Friday (4/2) night.
The athletes from Timor Leste who wore traditional clothes were named the first among the four ASEAN countries in the parade.
This was followed by Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, to parade in front of Chinese President Xi Jinping with International Sports Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and thousands of other invited guests who packed the bird’s nest-shaped stadium since 16.00 local time (15.00 WIB) although the opening ceremony starts at 20.00.
Athletes from several countries that previously carried out a diplomatic boycott, such as the United States, Australia, Britain, and several other European countries also participated in the parade.
Several athletes from Chinese Taipei who were previously reported absent also took to the opening arena.
The opening ceremony was lively with various art attractions and fireworks.
Several other cities in China also enlivened the opening ceremony by holding art events whose videos were shown along with dances at the National Stadium, which was built ahead of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
The relay lighting of the torch for the Beijing 2022 Olympics by some of the host’s athletes who have made achievements at similar Olympics in previous years, including Uighur Muslim ethnic minority Dinigeer Yilamujian marks the start of the multi-sports winter event.
A total of 84 countries and territories are taking part in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Not only the four seasons countries in the northern and southern hemispheres that follow the Olympics.
However, several other tropical countries, such as Jamaica and Saudi Arabia also sent their athletes to the competitions and competitions on the snow or ice.
“Fourteen years after wowing the world with a huge performance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Games, Beijing has again wowed global audiences with celebrations not only of winter sports, but also of the Spring Festival hosted at the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympics,” said President Xi Jinping.
Meanwhile, IOC President Thomas Bach ignited the spirits of athletes from all over the world with a message of peace.
“In our fragile world — where division, conflict and distrust are on the rise — we are showing the world. It may be a fierce competition for a while, but at the same time we live together in peace and respect,” he said in his opening remarks.
Among several heads of state present at the opening ceremony was Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Bach’s speech touched on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The two countries are also sending their athletes to the 2022 Beijing Olympics. (mhn/bbs)
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